"Yet a time is coming
and has now come when the true worshipers will worship
the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the
kind of worshipers the Father seeks." - John 4:23

My Heavenly Daddy is healing
me from the inside out.

Transparency is Real.
Many times painful.

Daddy let me be secure in You only!

Monday, February 08, 2010

VENDING MACHINE OF PLEASING


All I ever wanted in life was to be loved, approved and accepted by all. Unfortunately, I would have to become what I thought others would like me to become. I was a regular vending machine. Push whatever buttons that would please this one, and then push another to please that one, and yet another and another and so on and so on.

There came a day after many many many years, my vending machine's inner parts started wearing down. They just could not operate to maximum capacity anymore. When you would press one button, the light would go out and nothing was dispensed. My parts wore out. I realized, this is not going to work any more. My vending machine needed to go into the shop!

One day, after bringing my vending machine into a reputable repair shop, my old inner parts were brought out and looked at. The many buttons that graced the front of my machine were slowly being whittled down. Was told this process takes a while to complete and to be patient. There are some days in the whittling process where it is very painful. Not as flexible as it once was. Still, the repair shop hammers away, molds and re-shapes in order to fine tune my dispensing machine for that one day where it can be displayed again. This time, afresh and independent! Standing alone with only "one button" to push.....

"ME."

38 comments:

  1. You are worthy dear one, so worthy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. "ME" is absolutely ENOUGH

    ReplyDelete
  3. awesome analogy, sounds very positive

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is a brilliant blog post...how true this was for me and I am sure so many others; we tend to do so much for others approval and we forget ourselves in the process, from reading your blog, I would venture a guess that your ME is wonderful!!!

    xoGabi

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the analogy! Here's to being you dear! *hugs*

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sweetie I love how you wrote this piece. Keep up the good work to your freedom!

    ReplyDelete
  7. OH JBR, I just read your previous post about church and then this one. You're trying so hard...I totally get what you're saying..I have found certain places trigger my stuff...like church while others give me a real sense of belonging. Hang in there ok. I'm going to email you....there's so much I want to say...but for how now....hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  8. JBR,
    Love this post! Very creative, insightful, and so true.

    Blessings,
    Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  9. I really like that analogy, JBR. Good thoughts...ang

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautifully put, dear friend.
    Blessings, andrea

    ReplyDelete
  11. You write so honestly and openly, your post was beautifully written. It took me many, many years to understand I couldn't please everyone. As long as I can please God I know He will take care of the rest.

    Sweetie enjoy this day and may it be fill with blessings from above!

    ReplyDelete
  12. JBR: It's the same refining and purifying process He does to all of us. I may not have the kind of past that you came from, but trust me... there's enough 'stuff' for Him to work on in me anyway,daily!... and He does! It's not fun, but it's part of His plan, He's shaping us and purifying us....and you're doing great!

    ReplyDelete
  13. this post has codependency written all over it. glad youre able to recognize the symptoms. god does the healing. hes the only one you should be codependent on.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This writing is a true work of art!

    Secretia

    ReplyDelete
  15. Praying for your struggles JBR. You've been through a lot. I agree with the rest here, you're a true spirit who not only wants to help yourself but others by telling of your experiences. I admire that in anyone. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Well put my young friend....I hope you can learn to love and forgive yourself instead of waiting for others to give you what you need.
    Hey you and God is a great foundation, then you can build from there......:-) hugs

    ReplyDelete
  17. I needed to read this today. Thank you. Thank you for sharing your journey. XX

    ReplyDelete
  18. wow. amazing post...so true.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What flair in you words. I know that people caught in this vicious cycle end up sacrificing their entire personalities to the whims of others. They become obsessed with finding out just what buttons to press to please and in focusing on this they lose themselves. They fail to meet their needs because they have ceased to be aware of them. Praying that you find your way with God's help. Thanks for the awesome post! Audrey

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love this post. The idea of being a vending machine is perfect. And the perfect ending. I also love your new song list. So many of my favorites.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Perfect way of showing a great problem among people. Many do not recognize they do this. Great post! Thank you for sharing your heart once again.

    ReplyDelete
  22. stuck-in-the-middleFebruary 09, 2010

    JBR you've been doing great on your walk. Gods been with you every step of the way. Hang in there.

    ReplyDelete
  23. JBR here is a quote I found for you.
    Look not to the people around you,
    Nor wait for their laurels of praise;
    Enough that the Savior has found you
    And calls you to serve all your days.
    God Bless.

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a nice analogy! As lovely it might seem, it brings out your innermost feelings and despair. I am glad that you are on the right track now. You are special and your intrinsic worth is invaluable always.

    Celebrating the power of Just Being Real.

    God loves you and remember that there is none like you. You are the only one like you. Wow!!! Such knowledge is too wonderful to fathom. Isn't it?

    Joy, courage and prayers,
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh I love the analogy! Good post!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Had to laugh when I saw this post. My wife's sister struggles with trying to please so many. Will have to show this to her. This is good.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Precious friend, it took all of your life to get to where you are, so don't pressure yourself to be "fixed" immediately. It will take time to repair that vending machine, but not nearly as long as it did to build it. And I know that surely you are already seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. It is there, let down your defenses, and move toward it.

    Blessings and love,
    Abbey

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow, what a powerful post! I can relate way too well to this. I'm so tired of being a vending machine, trying to be everything to everybody. From here on out I'm only giving out peanut butter cups...

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wonderful.  I'm righ there with ya on wanting everyone to like me. 

    ReplyDelete
  30. awesome analogy.
    I am whittling, also.
    Some people seem to like this better than what I had to offer before.
    Most importantly, I like it better.
    I'm starting to like me.

    I like you too. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh I LOVE THIS POST! So real so true.

    ReplyDelete
  32. This is wonderful!

    Margie:)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Excellent analogy! I hope to be "me" one day...

    ReplyDelete
  34. I so agree with what hethatsows stated. That is what I love about your blogs girl. Keep it up even while in the process. janie

    ReplyDelete
  35. Wow! This is absolutely fabulous, JBR! Thank you so much for letting us use this for THE BLOG CARNIVAL AGAINST CHILD ABUSE. I'm so glad you joined us this month with this wonderful post. What abuse survivor or people pleaser of any kind could not relate to this? It's kind of a spin on the "peeling back the layers of the onion" I've heard of so much over the years. Excellent! Also, I LOVE the photo! Where do you get those?

    ReplyDelete
  36. JBR, this is an awesome analogy. The wearing down of the outer and inner parts can result in big health problems and in the end, we truly lose ourselves and have no idea who we are or what we want because we have been so busy trying to win the approval of others. I used to want to put up an "Out For Repairs" sign to give myself a break from all of the people pleasing requests. I am glad that you didn't wait until you were beyond repair. (((HUGS))) and Blessings

    ReplyDelete
  37. I've been there. Sometimes I still am. You've shown me a way out today. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  38. This is so beautiful. I loved this! ~Cassandra

    ReplyDelete